Life

Marie Louise McConville: Restrictions lifted? No thanks, I'll keep wearing my face mask

Legally-binding Covid-19 restrictions may have been lifted in Northern Ireland but I intend to keep wearing my mask and keeping my distance from others
Legally-binding Covid-19 restrictions may have been lifted in Northern Ireland but I intend to keep wearing my mask and keeping my distance from others Legally-binding Covid-19 restrictions may have been lifted in Northern Ireland but I intend to keep wearing my mask and keeping my distance from others

So I guess that's that then - the great Covid-19 pandemic is over.

It may have been with us for the best part of two years and turned our lives upside down but Boris says it's done so it must be done.

This week the British Prime Minister scrapped all remaining legal Covid restrictions in England, including the need to isolate.

People who test positive for Covid no longer need to isolate by law, and free lateral flow testing will stop on April 1.

Boris Johnson said it was time for people to "learn to live with this virus and continue protecting ourselves and others without restrictions on our freedoms".

Last week, health minister Robin Swann lifted Northern Ireland's remaining Covid-19 restrictions, so rules that were formerly legally binding, such as wearing face coverings in enclosed public spaces, are now just guidance.

Mr Swann said while the test and trace programme in Northern Ireland will remain under review, he would "carefully consider" England's plans and their implications for Northern Ireland - and we all know what that means.

So, that's that then.

We're free to go out and about mask free and with no need to socially distance and everything will be fine.

Yeah right.

The worrying thing is, there will be a lot of people who think that way.

If they won't be punished for not wearing a mask - why wear one?

If they don't have to socially distance in a bar or a restaurant - why should they?

Of course, the moves come as thousands of people are still testing positive for Covid every day in Northern Ireland and some are still losing their lives.

Any while, admittedly, Omnicron is not as serious a variant, who knows what is around the corner?

I don't mind admitting that I will not be letting my guard down any time soon.

I will continue to wear my face mask when I am out and I will certainly continue to socially distance.

That's my decision and I would expect it to be respected.

Of course, the decision to revoke legally binding restrictions here has already led to a backlash.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, parents leaving children off at our local school have been asked to wear face coverings.

This week, I wore mine as usual on the school run only to be confronted by another parent who repeatedly questioned my decision to wear one.

She told me I didn't have to and she didn't understand why I would wear one any more.

Of course, if she had have looked around, she would have seen the vast majority of the people doing the pick-up were still wearing face coverings.

Listen up people, this pandemic is not over and until such times as I see fit, I will continue to play my part to protect myself and those I love.

And if you don't like it, please ensure you take your business at least two metres away.

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Music fans attending this year's Glastonbury Festival are in for quite the treat amid reports Paul McCartney is to play the event.

The Beatles legend, who is 79, had been due to play the 2020 festival before it was cancelled due to Covid-19.

The upcoming gig will take place just a week before the performer turns 80 making him the oldest ever star to headline the event.

According to media reports, the singer will follow Noel Gallagher and Haim on Saturday, June 25.

One source revealed: "Paul’s set will be an absolutely must-see".

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Dear oh dear, how times have changed.

Once the ultimate love story (though I could never forgive him for the way he treated Jennifer) now Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are heading for court.

According to the Hollywood grapevine, the Ocean's Eleven actor is suing his ex - to whom he was married for five years - over the sale of her stake in a French vineyard.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who have six children together, bought the Chateau Miraval estate in the village of Correns, in south eastern France, in 2008, and were married there six years later.

According to court documents, both agreed never to sell their respective interests without the other's consent.

According to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Jolie sold her stake in the Chateau Miraval SA company to a Luxembourg-based spirits manufacturer controlled by businessman Yuri Shefler, without Pitt's knowledge.

Legal documents cite that the "vineyard became Pitt's passion - and a profitable one, as Miraval, under Pitt's stewardship, has grown into a multimillion-dollar international success story".

Lawyers for Pitt have requested a trial by jury.